Supporting arrangement



Dec. 2l, 1948. y, MARKQwn-Z 2,457,058

SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT Filed Sept. 5. 1945 INVENTOR. FIG'B l JSSE MARKOWWZ ATTO R NEY Patented Dec. 2l, 1948 2\.457.058 SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT Jesse Markowitz, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Hazeltine Research, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 5, 1945, Serial No. 614,542

' (ci. 24a-24) 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to arrangements for yieldably supporting one object with reference to a second, and more particularly is directed to vibration and shock-absorbing mountings which may be employed to support communication equipment on airplanes and in other installations for reducing the vibration and shock transmitted to electronic components.

A specific application of the invention contemplates a mounting which may be used in an airplane or other installation where the object to be supported may' be disposed at a position which differs considerably from the normal mounting lane.

p Many types of shock-absorbing mountings have heretofore been designed and used. Generally, each structure has been designed for a particular application and the resilient units and methods of suspension have varied accordingly. A number of prior art structures employ a series of resilient units, so arranged as to present a yieldable support both towards and away from the supporting object. These units, however, do not employ a nested structure and occupy considerable space. Other designs use nested resilient units but are capable of resilient support in one direction only.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a supporting arrangement which avoids one or more of the aforementioned limitations of prior arrangements.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved arrangement for yieldably supporting a first object with reference to a second object. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for yieldably supporting an object regardless of the position of the supporting object.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting arrangement which includes at least two resilient units arranged in nested relation to afford a high degree of vibra-l tion damping in a unit of reduced physical size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting arrangement which has a variable stiffness in the yielding resilient units in accordance with the amount of relative motion between the supported object and the supporting object.

Another object of the invention is to provide f' an improved supporting arrangement with high internal damping action for rapidly damping free vibrations produced by shock and for limiting the magnitude thereof at resonance.

In accordance with the invention an arrangement for yieldably supporting a iirst object with reference to a second object comprises a tirst resilient member to be supported at one of its ends on the second of the objects. A second resilient member is assembled in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of the rst resilient member and has a free end for receiving the iirst of the objects. A separator is disposed between the rst and second resilient members. The arrangement also includes means for engaging the first resilient member in the vicinity of the aforesaid one end thereof and for engaging the rst or supported object. A stop means is provided for limiting the motion of the separator in a direction away from the supportlng object.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. l is an isometric view of one form of an arrangement embodying the invention for yieldably supporting a rst object with reference to a second object; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional vleW of the arrangef ment of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative form of the Fig. l arrangement.

Referring now to the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2 represent an arrangement for yieldably support ing a rst object with reference to a second object. A fragmentary portion I5 of the first object is illustrated, this portion may be considered to be part of the base member of a communications equipment unit desired to be yieldably mounted on a second object or supporting member ii. The supporting arrangement comprises a iirst resilient member I0, supported on a flat portion of the supporting object II. The supporting object is formed with a hole I2 to assist in assembly.

The rst resilient member I0 is concentrically positioned with the hole I2 and has a recessed portion adjacent to the hole in which a thrust plate I3 resiliently engages the .first resilient member by means of a groove I 4. The thrust plate may be made iiat but to save space and to obtain a strong structural unit, it is formed with a recessed portion as illustrated. At the center of the thrust plate a portion of the first resilient member I0 extends through a hole in the plate and a ring of resilient material surrounds the y components together.

3 edge of the hole to form a grommet-like portion IS.

The groove I4 and the cutout portions of member IG are made larger than necessary to accommodate the thrust plate I3 and for this reason a space exists above the plate, extending over its entire area except at the edge of the hole where the plate has a thick bead-like portion that completely fills the space under the grommet extension I6.

At .the other end of the first resilient member I an annular extension 'I1 surrounds a centrally located recessed portion which is utilized to assemble the components of the arrangement in a nes-ted relation. A hole is provided in the center of member I0, also for assembly purposes.

Adjoining the first resilient member I0 on the opposite end from the portion in contact with the supported object is a separator or a plate i8. conforming generally to the shape of the member I0. The central part of the plate I8 is fiat and is provided with a. hole in the center of the fiat portion for assembly purposes. Adjoining the central portion is an annular corrugation which is made to conform to the annular extension II of the first resilient member I0. A-t the periphery of the separator plate a flange 20 is provided, the functions of which will be explained hereinafter.

The separator plate is made with such conf-iguration as to fit over the surface of the rst resilient member in exact contour except at the central flat section where it is spaced a predetermined distance from the recessed portion of the first resilient member.` This intervening space has a deilnite'and impor-tant bearing on .the performance of the resilient arrangement and will be explained hereinafter.

A second resilient member 2 I, having a cylindrical form, is mounted concentrically with the separator plate in partially nested relation therewith, fitting into the centrally located recess portion formed in the separator plate by reason of the conformity of the plate with th-e first resilient member. The free end of the second resilient member is suitably shaped to receive and support the supported object I5. To this end, a hole is formed in the central part of the member 2| and a cone-shaped cavity 34 is formed in the free end thereof to co-operate with a similar formation on the supported object I5. The central end portion of the second resilient member has a grommet-like extension 22 similar to the extension I6 on the first resilient member Ill |and this extension is shaped to surround and resiliently hold the edges of a hole in object I5.

A pin 23 is utilized to hold the above-described It projects through the central holes in the rs't and second resilient members I0 and 2| and through the separator plate I8. The pin also holds the several components in alignment and is an important factor when a shearing or transverse stress is encountered. At the lower end of the pin a bol-t head 24 engages the grommet-like extension of the first resilient member III while at the upper end of the pin a washer 25 and a key pin 26 are removably secured to engage the grommet-like extension of the second resilient member 2|.

The -pin 23 is made somewhat shorter .than required by lthe uncompressed distance between the extremities of the two grommet-like extensions. Then. when the uni-t is assembled, the two resilient members are precompressed to some extent, a condition which improves the internal damping factor.

It will be evident from the above description that th-e pin which holds the main components together does not make metallic contact with either the first or second object nor Ithe thrust plate. It is therefore a floating structural unit, the advantages of which will become apparent when the operation of .the device is described.

A stop means for limiting the motion of the separator plate I8 in a direction away from the second object comprises a cylindrical casing 21 having flanged portions 28. The casing is to be secured to the second or supporting object by rivets 30 or other suitable fastening means. The free or upper end of the casing is turnedv over. thereby forming an inwardly extending flange 3| which is utilized to hold or otherwise secure a resilient ring member 32. 'I'he ring member engages the flange portion 20 of the separator plate when a force tends to move the first object I5 or supported unit in a direction away from the second object II or base upon which the unit I5 is supported, and it engages the sloping side of the separator plate when a force tends to move the rst object or supported unit in a direction parallel to the plane of the second object or base.

The resilient ring member 32 is mounted in spaced relation with respect to the peripheral portion 20 of the -separator plate so that a definite increment of motion must first be effected before engagement takes place.

When the supporting arrangement is in operation, three or more mounts are usually employed to hold the supported object I5 resiliently sothat the plane of the supported object is substantially parallel to the plane of the supporting object or vbase II. If, now, a force tends to move vthe supported object toward the base, the resilient members I0 and 2| are jointly compressed in series, the first member IIJ because of -pressure exerted between the separator plate and the base II, and the second member 2| is compressed because of .the pressure exerted between the supported object I5 and the separator plate I8. 'I'he -two compressive actions outlined above are in series and the total displacement of the supported object toward the base I I is equal to the sum of the movements of each of the resilient memebrs.

If a force is applied which tends to separate the two objects I I and I 5 in a direction parallel to pin 23, the second resilient member 2| is under no added stress and, except for Ithe grcmmet-like extension 22, the second resilient mem-ber will not function as a resilient mount. Under the condition assumed, the pin 23 isforced upward and lifts thrust plate I3 thereby compressing the first resilient member I0 between the thrust plate and the separator plate and also compressing the resilient ring member 32 between the peripheral flange 20 and the flanged portion 3| of the cylindrical casing 2l. The above action is a series compression of two resilient units in nested relation in the same manner as the action which resulted when the two objects were forced together.

If a transverse force is applied to the supported object I5, which tends to move it in a direction at right angles to the axis of the pin 23, all three resilient members are compressed or deformed. The action of the rst resilient member I0 consists of a shearing strain, which tilts the pin 23, and a compression of the nested part against the side wall of the recessed portion of plate I8. The transverse pressure against the plate I 8 results in a small deformation of the first resilient member I0 but most of the transverse thrust is exerted upon the resilient ring member 32 which attaotsl is compressed between the side walls of the cylindrical casing and the separator plate I8.

The supporting arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is especially suited to support communication equipment because the stiffness factor is quite small for small vibrational forces. This characteristic is obtained in part by the use of the above-mentioned air spaces between elements. For example, when a force is applied to the supported object which tends to move it toward the base, the first increment of motion compresses the second resilient member 2I and that part of the first resilient member I which lies below the annular extension I1. After the movement has progressed to an extent where the separator plate is in contact with the top portion of the centrally located recessed area of the first resilient member I0 any further movement in the same direction must be accompanied by an additional compression of the central part of the first resilient member. A further movement collapses the space between the thrust plate I3 and the adjacent surface of the first resilient member and thereafter any additional motion must compress the resilient material between the thrust plate I3 and the base II.

It is evident from the above description that the stiffness factor is at a low value when vibratory movements are small. As the movements increase in magnitude the stiffness factor becomes quite large thereby producing a snubbing action which materially reduces large vibrations and efciently cushions severe shocks.

The same change-of-stiffness characteristic exists when a force tends to separate the supported object and the base. During the first small increment of motion the peripheral iiange 2U moves toward the resilient ring member 32 and makes contact therewith. Subsequent separation causes the space between the thrust plate and the adjacent surface to collapse and after still further separation the space between the separator plate and the adjacent surface of the first resilient member I0 collapses.

l The above description of the operation has been directed to the condition wherein the supporting .of Fig. 2 and similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts. No air spaces have been built into the alternate form because the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 has been devised to support heavier objects. The Arecessed thrust plate I3 is larger than the similar plate shown in Fig. 2 and a separate resilient member 33 is positioned between it and the supporting object II.

The pin 23 (Fig. 3) is mounted with its retaining means 24 and 25 in direct contact with the associatedsupported object I5 and plate I3. This form of assembly permits the resilient members to be precompressed to a greater degree than if ring washers of resilient material are used at the ends of the pin as shown in Fig. 2. The operation of the supporting arrangement shown in Fig. 3

is generally the same as the arrangement shown in Fig. 2.

The resilient members described above may be made of any suitable material having the adequate amount of fiexibility and internal damping.

For lightweight units sponge rubber may be used..

For heavy units the resilient members may be made of solid rubber which has the configuration necessary to control the resilience of the members in the vertical and radial directions.

The use of rubber may be dispensed with entirely and replaced by resilient pads made of matted or woven wire. Fine steel wire, when knitted or woven to form a tape and then wound into a cylindrical pad, possesses all the properties necessary for a resilient member of the type used in the above-described supporting arrangements.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope cf the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a. first object with reference to a second object comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said first resilient member and having a free end for receiving the first of said objects, a separator disposed between said first and second ,resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said first object, and stop means for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

2. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a rst object with reference to a second object comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said first resilient member and having a free end for receiving the first of said objects, a separator disposed between said first and second resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said rst object, and stop means to be secured to said second object for-'limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

3. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a first object with reference to a second object comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect te the opposite end of said first resilient member and having a free end for receiving the first of said objects, a separator disposed between said first and second resilient members and having a portion enclosing at least part of the outer one of said resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining'means at the other end for engaging said first object, and stop means for limiting the motion of said separator in la direction away from said second object.

4. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a rst object with reference /to a second -nbiect comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a. second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of Asaid first resilient member and having a fr'ee end for receiving the first of said objects, a separator having a flanged periphery and disposed between said rst and second resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said iirst resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said iirst object, and a stop means including a resilient ring member for engagement with said separatorfiange for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

5. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a iirst object with reference to a second object comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said first resilient member and having a free end for receiving the rst of said objects, a separator having a flanged periphery and disposed between said lrst and second resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said i'lrst resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said first object, and stop means including a cylindrical casing land a resilient ring member enclosed by said casing for engagement with said separator flange for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

6. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a rst object with reference to a second object l comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one en'd on the second of said objects,

Va second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said first resilient member and having a free end flor receiving the first of said objects, a separator disposed between said rst and second resilient members and having a iianged peripheral portion shaped to enclose at least part of the outer one of said resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said iirst resilient member in the vicinity of saidV one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said first object, and stop means including a cylindrical casing to be secured to said second object and a resilient ring member enclosed by said casing for engagement with said peripheral portion of said separator for limiting the motion of said separator in all directions except in the direction toward said sec ond object.

7. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a rst object with reference to a second object comprising, a iirst resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said rst resilient member and having a free end for receiving the first of said objects, a separator d isposed between said iirst and second resilient members, a pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said iirst resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said iirst object, a thrust plate resiliently engaging said iirst resilient member in the vicinity of one end thereof, said first resilient member including a ring of resilient material disposed between said thrust plate and said retaining means at one end of said pin, said second resilient member including a ring of resilient material disposed between said first object and said retaining means at the other end of said pin, and stop means for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

8. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a first object with reference to a second object comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said ilrst resilient member and having a free end for receiving the nrst of said objects, a separator disposed between said first and second resilient members, a thrust plate resiliently engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof, a pin projecting through said resilient members, said separator and said thrust plate for aligning said resilient members and said thrust plate and having retaining means at one end for engaging said thrust plate and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said iirst object, and stop means for limiting the motion of saidv separator in a direction away from said second object.

9. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a ilrst object with reference to a second object com-l' prising, a first' resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects and having a centrally located recessed portion at its other end, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to said recessed portion of pin projecting through said resilient members and said separator for aligning said resilient members having retaining means at one end for engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having retaining means at the other end for engaging said rst object, and stop means for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

10. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a first object with reference to a second object comprising, a rst resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said rst resilient member and having a free end for receiving the engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity said cylindrical casing in spaced relation with re-v spect to said peripheral portion of said separator for limiting the motion of said separator in all directions except in the direction toward said second object.

1l. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a iirst object with reference to a second object comprising, a rst resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said rst resilient member and having a free end for receiving the rst of said objects, a separator disposed between said rst and second resilient members, a thrust plate resiliently supported by said iirst resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof in spaced relation to said second object, a pin projecting through said resilient members, said separator and said thrust plate for aligning said resilient members and said thrust plate, said pin having retaining means at one end for engaging said thrust plate and having retaining means at the other end thereof for engaging said iirst object, and stop means for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

l0 12. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a first object with reference to a second object comprising, a first resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation withA respect to the opposite end of said first resilient member and having a free end for receiving the rst of said objects, a separator disposed between said first and second resilient members, means for engaging said iirst resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and for engaging said first object, and stop means for limiting the motion of said separator in a direction away from said second object.

13. An arrangement for yieldably supporting a first object with reference to a second object comprising, a rst resilient member to be supported at one end on the second of said objects, a second resilient member in partially nested relation with respect to the opposite end of said rst resilient member and having a free end for receiving the lrst of said objects, a separator disposed betweenl said mst and second resilient v members, a pin having retaining means at one end for engaging said first resilient member in the vicinity of said one end thereof and having REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Lampman Apr. 6, 1937 Number 

